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Create an adjustment layer mask using a color range

The Color Range feature, which is useful for creating a selection area based on sampled colors in an image, can also be used to create a mask. For more information, see Select a color range.

  1. In the Layers panel, select the layer to which you want to apply the adjustment layer.
  2. Choose Window > Adjustments to display the Adjustments panel.
  3. Click an adjustment in the Adjustments panel to add an adjustment layer to the image. A layer mask is automatically added as part of the adjustment layer.
  4. In the Masks panel, click Color Range.
  5. In the Color Range dialog box, choose Sampled Colors from the Select menu.
  6. Select Localized Color Clusters to build a mask based on different color ranges in the image.
  7. Set the display option to Selection, and Selection Preview to None.
  8. Click on a color area in the image.
    To sample multiple areas, hold down Shift to activate the plus eyedropper. Hold down Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac OS) to activate the minus eyedropper.

    As you click on image areas, you can preview the mask in the Color Range dialog box. White areas are unmasked pixels, black areas masked, and gray areas partially masked.

  9. Use the Fuzziness slider to increase or decrease the range of colors around your sample colors that are included in the masked area. Use the Range slider to control how far or near a color must be from the sample points to be included in the mask. After adjusting the mask, click OK to close the Color Range dialog box.
  10. In the Adjustments panel, modify the adjustment as needed.

    The adjustment is only applied to the unmasked (or partially masked) areas of the image. If necessary click Color Range again to make further adjustments to the adjustment layer mask.